THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT WAS RELEASED BY COMPAQ ON SEPTEMBER 6, 1995

INDUSTRY LEADERS ANNOUNCE OPEN HOST INTERFACE SPECIFICATION FOR UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS (USB)

SAN JOSE, September 6, 1995 -- Microsoft, Compaq and National Semiconductor today announced a broad industry initiative to create an open host controller interface (HCI) standard for Universal Serial Bus (USB). This initiative builds on the benefits of the USB by developing an open, widely-available interface called Open HCI for USB. Backed by 25 companies, this initiative will make it easier for companies -- including PC manufacturers, component vendors and peripheral suppliers -- throughout the industry to more quickly develop products that support USB, thus accelerating the market adoption of this innovative and useful technology. In addition, the Open HCI will be fully supported in future versions of Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows NT.

Since the host interface is left undefined by the USB specification, the Open HCI initiative defines this interface within PC, enabling connections to the USB bus. By defining a non-proprietary standard interface to the register level, highly-compatible USB host controllers can be developed quickly and at reduced costs. In addition, companies will be able to rapidly develop products and components that will be incorporated into systems, motherboards and add-in cards for connection to USB peripherals. Components based on the newly defined interface will be available in the fourth quarter of 1995 from several component vendors. Users should see PC products incorporating the Open Host Controller Interface mid-year 1996.

The USB was developed to greatly simplify PC-to-peripheral and PC-to-telephony connections by allowing a large number and wide variety of peripherals to be connected to one standard port.

"Microsoft is fully committed to supporting USB and the Open HCI initiative," said Carl Stork, Director Hardware Programs, Microsoft. "We will be providing drivers for Open HCI in future versions of Windows. The Open HCI specification allows standard allows standard drivers to be developed and shipped with the operating system. These drivers will work with all systems using Open HCI and ensure interoperability of USB-based PCs and peripherals."

"Once again Compaq is working within the industry to create a standard that offers tremendous benefits," said John T. Rose, Senior Vice President at Compaq. "The Open HCI initiative will enable many companies to more quickly develop USB-compliant products and allow many more suppliers to compete on a level playing field in the marketplace. This will greatly enhance Compaq's -- as well as other PC manufacturers' -- ability to deliver leading, yet cost effective, USB technology to all customers."

This specification gives component vendors a standard systems level interface to complement the USB Specification," said Doug McBurnie, Vice President and General Manager for the LAN Division at National Semiconductor. "Open HCI is the linchpin that ties together USB components, software and systems. Now vendors have all the pieces they need to build real solutions."

The Open HCI initiative is already supported by a significant number of leading PC, chipset, software, BIOS and peripheral companies, including the following:

     Analog Devices           Atmel                Award
     Compaq Computer Corp.    CMD                  Crystal Semiconductor
     Digital Equipment Corp.  Fujitsu/ICL          IBM
     Microchip                Microsoft Corp.      National Semiconductor
     NEC                      NexGen               OPTi
     Philips                  Phoenix Technology   SiS
     SMC                      Symbios Logic        Symphony
     Texas Instruments        UMC                  VIA Technologies
     VLSI

The Open HCI Specifications is available immediately in draft form and will be offered under the same open licensing as the USB 1.0 Specification. A free copy of the Open HCI specification is available through the World Wide Web on our product and technical publications area at "http//www.compaq.com", or a copy of the specification can be requested through email at ihv@microsoft.com. The USB specification package, which was jointly developed by Compaq, Digital, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, NEC and Northern Telecom, is available free of charge through the World Wide Web at "http://WWW.teleport.com/-USB" or by calling 1-800-433-3652 (US $35 for printing and shipping.).

Company Backgrounds

Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) is the world's largest supplier of personal computers, offering desktop PCs, portable PCs and servers. Founded in 1982, the company reported 1994 worldwide sales of $10.9 billion. Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of more than 38,000 Compaq marketing partners. Compaq also sells directly to customers through Compaq Direct Plus at 1-800-888-5858. Compaq provides 24-hour customer support and can be reached through the Compaq forums on America Online, CompuServe, Internet (http://www.compaq.com), and Prodigy, or by calling 1-800-345-1518.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

National Semiconductor Corporation (HYSE:NSM) designs, develops and markets semiconductor technologies for moving and shaping information. The company focuses on strategic markets within the communications, personal systems, industrial and consumer markets. National Semiconductor is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and has 22,300 employees worldwide. In fiscal 1995, the company reported sales of $2.4 billion and achieved the highest earnings in its history.

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